Changes to AC Chemistry

Mr. Gary is implementing a new program in lieu of our action research plan for the academic year 2010. The impact of multimedia and online assistance for class supplementation of work, quizzes, and laboratory assignments will be tested as well as an extensive assessment of student understanding, providing tiered lessons for both the advanced and remedial student. Pragmatically, what does this mean? More structure, more testing, and more accountability combined with more opportunities for bonus and enrichment activities.

Step 1. www.acchemistry.blogspot.com will be updated weekly to include all assignments for the week for each section—from reading, notes, questions to be answered, and quiz topics.

Step 2. Every double period will involve a quiz on the vocabulary of that week’s section, pertinent problems in the notes, and past problems.

Step 3. Notebooks will be checked every two weeks along with progress reports for any deficient students being sent home to parents.

Step 4. The website will have multimedia sections, further notes, and problem sets that can be done for improvement as well as an opportunity to raise quiz scores with a quiz make up—up to one grade.

Step 5. Grades will be tracked and students surveyed at the end of sessions comparing past performance with current performance to see if there are any improvements. Hits will be tracked on the website to see if activity increases over time. Finally, notebook samples will be checked to see any improvement.